In his directorial debut, longtime science fiction screenwriter Alex Garland (“28 Days Later…” and “The Beach”) delves into the subject of artificial intelligence. While the topic is not new for moviegoers, its relevance in our everyday lives is arguably higher than it’s ever been.

Personal smartphone assistants like Apple’s Siri have increased our daily interactions with technology.Tesla Motors is adding a self-driving mode to its electric cars this summer. And in the not-too-distant future, Amazon may be delivering your laundry detergent via drones.

Regarding AI, “that debate has massively changed in the last 10 years,” Garland told TheWrap.“The headwind at the moment is much more with the people who say this is going to be possible, and we’re getting closer to understanding how this will be possible.”

Garland points to Google’s acquisition of London-based artificial intelligence startup DeepMind (which was also reportedly in talks with Facebook).

As companies like Google and Facebook push the envelope of possibility, one of the most realistic choices Garland took was making a tech entrepreneur central to the film; Oscar Isaac plays the character, Nathan Bateman, exceptionally well. (Heading for science fiction superstardom, Isaac will appear in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” along with his “Ex Machina” co-star Domhnall Gleeson.) Reclusive and brilliant, Bateman pursues his AI dreams with the fortune created by his search engine company “BlueBook.”

It’s hard not to see comparisons between Bateman’s character and, say, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, although Garland insisted the character is not based on any one technology executive.He says Bateman’s behavior was based on tech companies themselves.

“Tech companies have a way of presenting themselves as if they are your cool, hipster friend,” the director said.

“But while they’re being that, they’re also acting like a big tech company; they’re trying to sell you products, they’re reaching for your phone and writing down your contacts.”

“Ex Machina” opens on April 10

TheWrap's 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From 'Fifty Shades' to 'Star Wars' and 'Spectre'

It's been way too long since there's been a "Jurassic Park" movie, and the franchise seems to be in extremely capable hands led by star Chris Pratt, who's proving to be our new favorite action hero. Trailer

"Snowtown" director Justin Kurzel does a revisionist take Shakespeare's classic with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. This one is a no-brainer.

Weinstein Copmany

"Beasts of No Nation"

Release Date: TBD

Cary Fukunaga returns to features after an incredible run on HBO's "True Detective," and he's bringing Idris Elba with him, making this a must-watch on so many levels.

Focus Features

"Dark Places"

Release Date: TBD

Amazing "Gone Girl" raised anticipation for "Dark Places," also based on a Gillian Flynn bestseller. Add Oscar-winner Charlize Theron as another dangerous and mysterious anti-heroine, and we can't wait to peel back the layers.

A24

1 of 25

Two Anna Kendrick musicals, Paul Walker’s final “Fast and Furious” and 22 more movies we can’t wait to see

Jon Erlichman is Los Angeles based television & print journalist, covering media, entertainment & technology. Most recently, Jon served as a correspondent for ABC News and as a contributor for HLN. Previously, he served as Senior West Coast Correspondent for Bloomberg Television & Bloomberg News. Jon was first to report Satya Nadella would be the new CEO of Microsoft. He also broke stories on Apple, Twitter, Netflix, AMC Networks & BuzzFeed. On television, he has interviewed a wide range of executives & creators, including Bob Iger, Barry Diller, Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, Oliver Stone, Vince Vaughn, Mike Judge, Kobe Bryant, Usher, Ryan Seacrest, Stan Lee, & Arianna Huffington. He was named one of the "100 tech people you have to follow on Twitter" by Business Insider.